FAWM: "The Joy of the New"

The Joy of the New

1 week ago by @jonmeta

The Joy of the New

jonmeta

00:00

Liner Notes

#guywithpiano #classic-pop #brill-building #new-baby

The first day of FAWM I saw the skirmish prompt from @ajna1960 , "The Joy of the New", after it was over, and wrote it down. Our daughter is due to have a baby girl in a couple months. Seemed appropriate.

Two weeks later, this is the result of stealing bits of time from non-musical projects, and turning over phrases in my head on long dog walks.

You know those paintings by unknown artists where the gallery description says "The school of ..." some famous artist? Because it resembles their style, but isn't as good? Well, this song is "The school of Bacharach." With a bit of David Scott (The Pearfishers).

Drums: Logic Pro drummer. Bass and piano are Logic Pro studio instruments, and flugelhorn is from Native Instruments (all played live).

Lyrics

The joy of the new is waiting in the dark Shy like the bloom on a mother’s cheek The joy of the new is stitching knit and purl A laughing little girl playing hide and seek

The joy of the new is the top of the slide The breathless ride The landing gasp The joy of the new is arms outstretched The eager reach beyond her grasp.

The joy of the new is waking from her sleep Pushing at the world with tiny feet The joy of the new is blooming bright and wild A new and natural child learning how to speak

The joy of the new is a marvellous sled painted red and hers to keep The hill is so high The valley deep The joy of the new is in the leap.

Comments

@philnorman 2d

The horn just sends this to perfection. What a perfect vibe pairing music and lyric, what a lovely song for your upcoming granddaughter!

@davidtaro 6d

You have totally nailed that Bacharach easy-listening vibe. Beautifully done. I love how this is such a true and joyful meditation from the perspective of the grandparent. The way you use the hook to lead into a succession of little projected imaginings of first steps, first slides, first sleds is masterful. Each image is brilliantly crafted too (so much so that I would throw Hal David’s name in there alongside the Bacharach reference). You’re a one man dream team, Jon! And I didn’t even mention the superb trumpet lines!

@jonmeta 5d

You're much too kind, but thank you. It means a lot coming from someone of your talents. I go listen regularly to Rumer's studio version of "Alfie" on YouTube and realise how far down the ladder I am compared to that transcendent experience. But it's good to keep trying!

@coolparadisoMod 1w

What a good delivery in a really classical style , this could mix it with best and the topic will hit so many people, me included. all class mate!

@kadmad202 1w

Oh Jon, how lucky are your grandkids to have such a talented granddad who will write songs for them that they can cherish all their lives. I remember the one from a year or two ago that you wrote for your grandson☺️. Lovely as always, and as someone said, Burt would be proud. You've caught his style for sure, and the horn is the cherry on top. Delicious!

@sheslin 1w

The trumpet sounds great. Oh what pretty melody and the vocals are so smooth and emotive. Wonderful keys playing too. This is so refreshingly tender and sweet - and what an exciting event in your life to write about. Really lovely writing and playing.